To update, as I know all were eagerly waiting the result. New coil pack arrived via Carrs in Exeter for a very reasonable £80. The swap was easy, 30 mins max and I took the opportunity to look at the plug again. It was a bit mucky and slightly discoloured around the insulator but cleaned up and reused. The car ran better but with a very slight stutter. However much better than before. So another NGK plug ordered from Opie Oils for £10 and the car running perfectly now, all the Italian horses are now corralled back under the bonnet.
Looking back through the history, there seemed to have been the odd plug and or coil replacement over the years but no note of from which cylinder. The last complete change was 2010 so it could be a good few years old. I guess also that if the coil had been failing and fouling the plug, eventually it will take a toll on it. Thus on the to do list perhaps goes a complete plug change possibly with some Denso ones, which seem to be well thought of, to establish a common datum to work from.
Thanks all for all the advice. Now lets have some sun to get some miles on this ex-garage queen.
Looking back through the history, there seemed to have been the odd plug and or coil replacement over the years but no note of from which cylinder. The last complete change was 2010 so it could be a good few years old. I guess also that if the coil had been failing and fouling the plug, eventually it will take a toll on it. Thus on the to do list perhaps goes a complete plug change possibly with some Denso ones, which seem to be well thought of, to establish a common datum to work from.
Thanks all for all the advice. Now lets have some sun to get some miles on this ex-garage queen.